W. Ellis Jenkins (BS ’55) and Jean A. (Gentis) Jenkins (BME ’55) were longtime Tulsans and loyal TU alumni whose leadership, service, and financial support strengthened both academics and athletics. Ellis, who lettered in basketball, played an especially instrumental role in building and strengthening The University of Tulsa’s Lettermen’s Association, a contribution for which he was honored as the J. Paschal Twyman Award recipient during TU’s 2001 Homecoming.

In addition to the gift of leadership and service, Ellis and Jean supported academic excellence at TU through the establishment of the Brad Jenkins Scholarship Endowment Fund named in honor of their son. They also supported excellence in intercollegiate athletics for many years through their gifts to the Case Athletic Complex at Skelly Stadium, the Football Coaches Fund, the Golden Hurricane Club and the Lettermen’s Association, among others. As a result, Ellis and Jean Jenkins generously established a planned gift through a life insurance policy to create the Ellis and Jean Jenkins Athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund. Brad passed away in 2015, and Ellis passed away in 2016, leaving behind an impressive legacy.